Seattle History: Green Lake

December 31, 1975 10:00 PM

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Divers at Green Lake, 1941.

Divers at Green Lake, 1941.

Photo: P-I File

Divers at Green Lake, 1941. Photo-758290.6764 - seattlepi.com

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Clarence Rushton, superintendent of the Aqua Theater construction project listens to Walter A. Van Camp, managing diretor of Greater Seattle, Inc., after the two put the sign in place in June 1950. Rushton's crew needed the 5,000 Aqua Theater completed in time for the gala opening of "Aqua Follies" on Aug. 11, 1950. less

Clarence Rushton, superintendent of the Aqua Theater construction project listens to Walter A. Van Camp, managing diretor of Greater Seattle, Inc., after the two put the sign in place in June 1950. Rushton's ... more

The cast of the Aqua Follies show Dears and Darlings, July 1960. (Seattlepi.com file/MOHAI)

The cast of the Aqua Follies show Dears and Darlings, July 1960. (Seattlepi.com file/MOHAI)

Photo: P-I File

The cast of the Aqua Follies show Dears and Darlings, July 1960.... Photo-758207.6764 - seattlepi.com

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Helene Madison at Green Lake, 1930. Madison, who attended Lincoln High School, won three gold medals at the 1932 Olympics, never lost a race, won 23 national championships and at one point held every world record. Two pools in Seattle are named for her – a city pool in North Seattle and a pool at the Washington Athletic Club, where she practiced. Read more about Madison here. (Seattlepi.com file/MOHAI) less

Helene Madison at Green Lake, 1930. Madison, who attended Lincoln High School, won three gold medals at the 1932 Olympics, never lost a race, won 23 national championships and at one point held every world ... more

The original caption read: These young women are part of the corps of 24 Aqua-Dears who performed the aquatic choreography and stage show in summer 1957. Divers are shown in background on diving tower.

The original caption read: These young women are part of the corps of 24 Aqua-Dears who performed the aquatic choreography and stage show in summer 1957. Divers are shown in background on diving tower.

Photo: P-I File

The original caption read: These young women are part of the corps... Photo-758311.6764 - seattlepi.com

The Green Lake Theater shown the week it opened in August 1937, at the corner of Woodlawn Avenue Northeast and Northeast 71st Street. The independent theater reamined in business until 1950. The building is now home to Pacific Color Inc. less

The Green Lake Theater shown the week it opened in August 1937, at the corner of Woodlawn Avenue Northeast and Northeast 71st Street. The independent theater reamined in business until 1950. The building is now ... more

Photo: P-I File

The Green Lake Theater shown the week it opened in August 1937, at... Photo-758318.6764 - seattlepi.com

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An aerial of Green Lake from the east, winter 1957. (Seattlepi.com file/MOHAI)

An aerial of Green Lake from the east, winter 1957. (Seattlepi.com file/MOHAI)

The original caption read: Big wheels, small whees propel the natives of Seattle around the Green Lake in search of the mythical suntan they hear so much about from other parts of the country. April 22, 1979.

The original caption read: Big wheels, small whees propel the natives of Seattle around the Green Lake in search of the mythical suntan they hear so much about from other parts of the country. April 22, 1979.

The original caption read: Chester Regan did a double take as he was walking along the shore of Green Lake yesterday in the wind and rain near his home at 7611 W. Green Lake Drive. Out of the chilly watter paddled Sally Jaffee, who is visiting here from Santa Cruz, Calif. Dec. 26, 1976. less

The original caption read: Chester Regan did a double take as he was walking along the shore of Green Lake yesterday in the wind and rain near his home at 7611 W. Green Lake Drive. Out of the chilly watter ... more

Photo: P-I File

The original caption read: Chester Regan did a double take as he... Photo-758441.6764 - seattlepi.com

The original caption read: Green Lake in Seattle's North End was almost completely frozen over yesterday and police efforts to keep people off the lake were only successful when the patrol car was nearby. Dec. 10, 1972. (Bob Miller/Seattlepi.com file) less

The original caption read: Green Lake in Seattle's North End was almost completely frozen over yesterday and police efforts to keep people off the lake were only successful when the patrol car was nearby. Dec. ... more

Photo: P-I File

The original caption read: Green Lake in Seattle's North End... Photo-758450.6764 - seattlepi.com

A sand-covered canvas was lowered to form the pool floor of the aquatheater, July 1950.

A sand-covered canvas was lowered to form the pool floor of the aquatheater, July 1950.

Photo: P-I File

A sand-covered canvas was lowered to form the pool floor of the... Photo-823226.6764 - seattlepi.com

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Construction of the Green Lake Aqua Theater in June 1950. It was rushed to finish in mid-August and built for roughly $250,000.

Construction of the Green Lake Aqua Theater in June 1950. It was rushed to finish in mid-August and built for roughly $250,000.

Photo: P-I File

Construction of the Green Lake Aqua Theater in June 1950. It was... Photo-823230.6764 - seattlepi.com

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The Green Lake Aqua Theatre, 1963.

The Green Lake Aqua Theatre, 1963.

Photo: P-I File

The Green Lake Aqua Theatre, 1963. Photo-823234.6764 - seattlepi.com

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An 8-ton steel structure that was used as a sinken orchestra pit is lifted into the Aqua Theater by a giant mobile crane, June 1958. Gustavo Stern, musical director of the Greater Seattle musicals, watches from the right foreground. less

An 8-ton steel structure that was used as a sinken orchestra pit is lifted into the Aqua Theater by a giant mobile crane, June 1958. Gustavo Stern, musical director of the Greater Seattle musicals, watches from ... more

Photo: P-I File

An 8-ton steel structure that was used as a sinken orchestra pit is... Photo-823241.6764 - seattlepi.com

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The April 25, 2001 caption read: Taking advantage of a goregous spring day, Bob Smith and Ki McGraw, both yoga instructors at Hatha Yoga in the University District, practice a yoga posture at Green Lake.

The April 25, 2001 caption read: Taking advantage of a goregous spring day, Bob Smith and Ki McGraw, both yoga instructors at Hatha Yoga in the University District, practice a yoga posture at Green Lake.

The Oct. 1994 caption read: Travis Hepner, 10, far left, his dad Scott Hepner and two other fishermen try for rainbow trout at Green Lake late Wednesday afternoon. The Hepner's have been fishing at the lake the past few days -- after spending part of their afternoon there Wednesday, they caught four fish. (Ellen M. Banner/Seattlepi.com file) less

The Oct. 1994 caption read: Travis Hepner, 10, far left, his dad Scott Hepner and two other fishermen try for rainbow trout at Green Lake late Wednesday afternoon. The Hepner's have been fishing at the lake the ... more

People are reflected in a large puddle at Green Lake near dusk, Jan. 8, 2002. (Dan DeLong/Seattlepi.com file)

People are reflected in a large puddle at Green Lake near dusk, Jan. 8, 2002. (Dan DeLong/Seattlepi.com file)

Photo: P-I File

People are reflected in a large puddle at Green Lake near dusk,... Photo-758324.6764 - seattlepi.com

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The May 1995 caption read: University of Washington cheerleader Aaron Rimmer tosses fellow cheerleader Marci Nakanishi up at Green lake while the two practiced some of their routines. They were joined by six other cheerleaders as the squad took advantage of the beautiful spring day. (Scott Eklund/Seattlepi.com file) less

The May 1995 caption read: University of Washington cheerleader Aaron Rimmer tosses fellow cheerleader Marci Nakanishi up at Green lake while the two practiced some of their routines. They were joined by six ... more

Photo: P-I File

The May 1995 caption read: University of Washington cheerleader... Photo-758327.6764 - seattlepi.com

The April 1997 caption read: Seattle Parks Department's Ari Heiskanen works on a pair of new benches facing the wading pool on the north end of Greenlake as walkers and joggers try out the recently repaired path which is partially completed. The wading pool should be done by the first week in May and the rest of the renovation by early summer according to Heiskanen. less

The April 1997 caption read: Seattle Parks Department's Ari Heiskanen works on a pair of new benches facing the wading pool on the north end of Greenlake as walkers and joggers try out the recently repaired ... more

The November 2002 caption read: Robert Connon of Seattle and Richard Sitzlack take an afternoon break at Green lake and enjoy a cup of coffee under the sun.

The November 2002 caption read: Robert Connon of Seattle and Richard Sitzlack take an afternoon break at Green lake and enjoy a cup of coffee under the sun.

Photo: P-I File

The November 2002 caption read: Robert Connon of Seattle and... Photo-758335.6764 - seattlepi.com

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Megan Coggeshall, right, Heidi Anderson, center, and Caitlin Coggeshall, left, joined about 300 hundred people in prayer on the banks of Greenlake Dec. 31, 2002. It was the fourth annual New Year's Eve Walking Meditation for Compassion and Peace. less

Megan Coggeshall, right, Heidi Anderson, center, and Caitlin Coggeshall, left, joined about 300 hundred people in prayer on the banks of Greenlake Dec. 31, 2002. It was the fourth annual New Year's Eve Walking ... more

The Sept. 2003 caption read: Jeff Babcock, proprietor of Zoka Coffee Roaster and Tea Company, raises his arms after throwing burlap sacks fulled with balloons - representing coffee - into Greenlake as a protest against the proposed tax on espressos in Seattle. The demonstration mimicked the tactics used during the Boston Tea Party as early Americans protested a British tax on tea. (Joshua Trujillo/Seattlepi.com file) less

Elizabeth George battled wind and rain during her regular walk around the north end of Greenlake on Oct. 15, 2003. (Joshua Trujillo/Seattlepi.com file)

Elizabeth George battled wind and rain during her regular walk around the north end of Greenlake on Oct. 15, 2003. (Joshua Trujillo/Seattlepi.com file)

Photo: P-I File

Elizabeth George battled wind and rain during her regular walk... Photo-758350.6764 - seattlepi.com

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The July 1997 photo caption read: Kris Olliver, 23, relaxes among a flock of Canada geese along Green Lake. She had just finished running and was reading "Stones From the River." About lying with the geese, she said "It's peaceful." Olliver lives in Seattle. less

The July 1997 photo caption read: Kris Olliver, 23, relaxes among a flock of Canada geese along Green Lake. She had just finished running and was reading "Stones From the River." About lying with the geese, she ... more

A Green Lake scene on a sunny September 1997 afternoon. Photo-758359.6764 - seattlepi.com

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The November 2004 caption read: Jack McGannon from Seattle walks around Green Lake everyday with his dog Ripley, center, as exercise for the both of them. His daughter in-law's dogs, Bandit, left, and Bear, right, accompanied them on this day. (Karen Ducey/Seattlepi.com file) less

The November 2004 caption read: Jack McGannon from Seattle walks around Green Lake everyday with his dog Ripley, center, as exercise for the both of them. His daughter in-law's dogs, Bandit, left, and Bear, ... more

The January 2005 caption read: Reynold Cottle, who resides in Snohomish, stretches after running around Green Lake. "It feels like summer" said Cottle about the unseasonably warm temperatures of more than 60 degrees. (Dan DeLong/Seattlepi.com file) less

The January 2005 caption read: Reynold Cottle, who resides in Snohomish, stretches after running around Green Lake. "It feels like summer" said Cottle about the unseasonably warm temperatures of more than 60 ... more

The March 2005 caption read: Seattle artist James Prouty takes advantage of the beautiful weather and calm conditions to set up his easel and canvas to capture the blossoms in bloom on the north side of Green Lake. less

The March 2005 caption read: Seattle artist James Prouty takes advantage of the beautiful weather and calm conditions to set up his easel and canvas to capture the blossoms in bloom on the north side of Green ... more

A couple of runners along the path at Green Lake, June 2005. Photo-758200.6764 - seattlepi.com

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The May 2005 caption read: All the regulars Lee Dodge encounters on her walks at Green Lake get a hug or a kiss or both. The male friends, including Hans Grimm, are referred to by Dodge as "my boys." (Paul Joseph Brown/Seattlepi.com file) less

The May 2005 caption read: All the regulars Lee Dodge encounters on her walks at Green Lake get a hug or a kiss or both. The male friends, including Hans Grimm, are referred to by Dodge as "my boys." (Paul ... more